Public Speaking 103

Ugh....I HATE public speaking! Ok, let me back up a bit. As you all know, I'm in school right now, trying to get my Masters in MS&E (don't ask....just think 'business'). Well, this was also my ungrad major, which means I've taken all of the prereqs for the courses I'm taking now. That is NOT the case for everyone. A lot of people have to take certain math, science, probability, computer science, etc classes in order to finish the degree. But not me! That means I "get" to take electives, since we have to graduate with a certain number of units. I can't take just anything though. There are certain requirements that have to do with the subject and the course number and such, but I won't bore you with those details.

Anyway, let's fast forward to this quarter (which just started yesterday). I thought I had found 3 great classes to take, but it turns out that one of them can't really be taken online, which is a problem, since I'm working full time. Sorry....but why would you have your lectures taped if you were going to penalize people for not coming?? So pretty much, my grade would suffer, and I need all the help I can get! So the search began....

After scouring through the online courses, I decided my best option was to take a night class. This is not something I want to do, and it's something I very very rarely did as an undergrad (the only class that comes to mind is French Porn, and even then it was only a Monday night movie). I kept searching until I found this gem: Engr103: Public Speaking. Ok, only once a week (or so I thought), 7:30-10pm, 3 units....bring it on! But I should mention how very terrified I am of speaking publicly. BUT, it is something I told myself I would try to get better at, and the class fit my schedule, and there are no tests or problem sets to worry about. So yes, I'm taking it.

I had my first class last night, and there are about 25-30 people in the class. Luckily, quite a few of them don't exactly speak English (ESL, if you will), so at least I have an advantage there! WE did have to make a mini speech last night, and I was kind of freaking out, but whatever...there were so many people before and after me, and I wasn't being funny, so I am pretty sure no one remembered my 30 second explanation about why I would be a bear, if I had to be an animal.

Now I need you all's help (ok...that sounds more hickish than "y'all" but whatevs): next week we have to give a 2-3 minute narrative speech. So, I need a story. It should be one I know well, so I can cut parts out if necessary, and so I don't need to worry about forgetting anything. Anyone have any ideas? Nothing too funny (for I might laugh in the middle) and nothing too boring and dry (because a lot of people are funny and I don't want to look like a dud!). Let me know if you have any ideas! Hey....if you help me out, maybe I'll even practice in front of you (ok, not! that actually won't happen). Sweet! See you all tonight =)